Study of Cancer in Dogs May Accelerate Treatment Advances for Humans

Feb 14,2018

Comparative oncology — the study of naturally developing cancers in animals as models for human disease — has been practiced for decades. However, conducting clinical trials on the spontaneous cancers of people’s pet dogs is a relatively new concept. The effort has gained traction with a concerted effort on the part of academic centers and NCI to further develop the dog model.

Project Aims to Prevent Pandemics Using One Health Approach

Feb 12,2018

A UC Davis-led program – PREDICT – discovers and detects viruses, many of which move between animals and people and can potentially trigger pandemics. PREDICT develops projects all around the world, so that regions can find the lethal viruses on their grounds, solve mysteries of poorly understood pathogens and become active players in what is truly a global fight to prevent death and illness.

Laceration Repair Surgery Saves Horse’s Athletic Career

Feb 9,2018

Nash, a 12-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding, is a roping horse in local competitions and also works for his family herding cattle. That career was in jeopardy recently after suffering a severe laceration to his lower lip that extended back to his jawline. His owners Maureen and Brian searched Nash’s stall for evidence of how the injury happened. While not certain it was the cause, the only possible culprit they could find was a rough edge on a food bowl that they hadn’t noticed before.

Low-risk Anesthesia Better for Stressful Dental Work

Feb 7,2018

“Many factors have improved anesthesia safety over the years,” Dr. Pypendop says. “These likely include drugs with more consistent and predictable effects, better knowledge of the effects of drugs on vital function, better ability to monitor and therefore prevent or treat abnormalities and better pre-anesthetic screening.”

Pacific Marine Mammal Center is one of 41 organizations statewide — including rehabilitation groups, universities and aquariums — that comprise the Oiled Wildlife Care Network. The network was established in 1994 by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response after spills by the Exxon Valdez in Alaska (about 11 million gallons spilled) and the American Trader in Huntington Beach (more than 400,000 gallons). It is administered by the UC Davis Wildlife Health Center in the School of Veterinary Medicine.

Training the Next Generation of Livestock Veterinarians

Feb 5,2018

As the world population grows, so too does the need for more veterinary students trained in livestock medicine. UC Davis graduates, who care for dairy cows, beef cattle, swine, poultry, sheep and goats, will be on the front line of protecting the nation’s food supply by ensuring the health of animals in these industries.

OWCN Trains at SeaWorld for Potential Oil Spill

Feb 2,2018

Members of the Oiled Wildlife Care Network trained for a potential oil spill at SeaWorld. Rescuers pretended there was an oil spill in La Jolla and brought prop animals from the beach to SeaWorld's facility where they went through cleaning and rehabilitation procedures.

Veterans’ Therapy Dog Has His Own Battle to Overcome

Jan 30,2018

Webb, an 8-year-old male golden retriever, has an important job, and many of America’s heroes rely on him every day. He was originally trained to be a service animal for a veteran with a disability, but it turned out that he wasn’t suited for individualized care. However, the Veterans Administration still saw potential in him, so now Webb serves as a therapy dog at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System – Menlo Park Division. He is charged with the mission of cheerleader, encourager, and all-around goodwill ambassador at the rehabilitation center.

Equine Dentistry Advancing with New Board Certification

Jan 30,2018

In 2014, the American Veterinary Medical Association approved recognition of a new board certification in equine dentistry. The American Veterinary Dental College (AVDC) Equine Dental Specialty Diplomate is a veterinarian who has been certified by AVDC as having demonstrated specialist knowledge and expertise in equine veterinary dentistry as a result of completing the AVDC entrance requirements and having successfully passed the AVDC equine examination. The AVDC has long recognized a non-species specific certification that many small animal dentists hold.

Cystoscopy Used to Remove Bladder Stones at UC Davis

Jan 30,2018

Veterinarians at UC Davis are using cystoscopy to evaluate the lower urinary and genital tracts in animals. A cystoscope is a thin tube with a camera that is inserted through the urethra into the bladder to conveniently see areas of the bladder or urethra that may not be visible on x-rays or ultrasound. The procedure is performed while animals are under general anesthesia.

Community Surgery Program Gives Students Hands-On Training

Jan 30,2018

Veterinary students spend their fourth and final year rotating through the many services of the hospital. Often stated as their favorite rotation is the Community Surgery Service. Unlike their time spent in the specialty surgery services (where student participation is limited to observation), a rotation through Community Surgery offers students a hands-on experience performing spays and neuters as well as mass removals and other basic surgical procedures.

Who’s a Good Boy? Moose, a Chocolate Lab with One Lung

Accuracy of Lymph Node Cytology for Neoplasia Diagnosis

Jan 27,2018

Lymph node cytology is commonly used in companion animal medicine to differentiate causes of lymphadenomegaly, including neoplasia and lymphadenitis. Researchers at UC Davis recently performed a large-scale, retrospective study to evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of lymph node cytology for various types of canine and feline neoplasia.

Congratulations to Dr. John Madigan for being recognized by the UC Davis Cal Aggie Alumni Association with the Distinguished Achievement Award for his profound impact on the advancement of equine health and animal welfare worldwide.

Be Ready to Fight if a Pet Insurer, Like a People Insurer, Denies a Valid Claim

Jan 26,2018

It's every pet owner's worst nightmare: Your beloved furry friend comes down with a serious, costly illness. That's why pet insurance in the United States has grown into a nearly $900-million business. But, as with human health insurance, claims for critters frequently can be denied by insurers for a variety of reasons. Most often, it's because the illness is deemed a preexisting condition, which few pet policies will cover.

Headshaking: A Sensitive Equine Matter

Jan 25,2018

A toss of the head. A flip of the nose. It seems so benign, right? A horse that shakes his head continually, almost viciously, however, is no trivial matter. This type of headshaking can be frustrating for owners, detrimental to horse welfare, and pose diagnostic and treatment challenges for veterinarians.

Bears Burned in California Wildfires Healed With Fish Skins, Released to Wild

Jan 24,2018

Two adult female black bears that were burned during the Thomas Fire in Southern California have recuperated and are now back in the wild thanks to the help of UC Davis veterinarians and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Rat Poison and Wildlife Don't Mix

Jan 23,2018

A collaborative research team, including UC Davis epidemiologist Janet Foley, recently found that bobcat populations in urban Southern California with anticoagulant rodenticides in their system were more likely to suffer from notoedric mange — or feline scabies — a disease that causes animals to lose hair and protein through their skin, makes them anemic and leads to a slow, painful death. This is the first time that these anticoagulant rodenticides have been directly linked to changed immune system and organ function in wildlife.

The northern spotted owl has had many adversaries. Now, a new menace is taking root among the ancient trees: unpermitted marijuana farms suspected of spreading rat poison up the owl’s food chain, according to a study led by researchers at UC Davis in cooperation with the California Academy of Sciences.

Can Dogs Laugh?

Jan 22,2018

We often marvel at how “human” dogs can be—the way they look at us, the behaviors they engage in, the sounds they make. But the truth is, it’s not just our perception. Studies have shown that animals feel many of the same emotions people do, but they often communicate in ways we don’t understand.

Cats and Dogs Could Help Human Disease Breakthrough

Jan 22,2018

UC Davis is unique in that its Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and its School of Medicine form a collaborative effort in treating disease, not only with spina bifida, but for other ailments like cancer, diabetes, and vascular conditions that affect humans and animals alike. What benefits one species, they reason, will likely benefit the other.

5 Things Pet Owners Should Know About the Dog Flu

Jan 22,2018

Canine influenza cases have been confirmed in Northern California. The San Francisco SPCA confirmed dog flu cases in the Bay Area. UC Davis Veterinary School of Medicine said just like with humans, canine influenza is contagious.

Thoroughbreds Evaluated Before and After Racing in UC Davis Heart Study

Jan 19,2018

UC Davis researchers ran tests on a group of Thoroughbreds before and after racing to get important reference data in a step toward being able to identify horses with heart problems that could cause sudden death.

Why Do Dogs Eat Poop? New Research Suggests an Ancient Answer

Jan 19,2018

In a new paper, veterinary researchers at University of California at Davis who surveyed thousands of dog owners found 16 percent of pups consume other canines’ feces “frequently,” having been spotted doing it more than six times by their owners. The vast majority prefer their poop to be fresh, or no more than one to two days since deposit. But why?

The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA), on behalf of Governor Brown, presented California Safe Soil (CSS) and Dr. Pramod Pandey, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, with a Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award (GEELA) during a special award ceremony on January 17, 2018 at CalEPA’s headquarters in Sacramento, California.

UC Davis Performs More Than 350 Equine Surgeries Per Year (Video)

Jan 18,2018

The UC Davis veterinary hospital performs more than 350 equine surgeries per year. Residents seeking to become specialty surgeons, as well as students, gain valuable experience during these procedures. Bella, a 16-year-old American Quarter Horse mare, had surgery to remove screws and bone fragments in her hock after the screws were placed 3 months ago when a PET scan revealed active bone changes in the joint.

OTHER SVM PUBLICATIONS

For visitors, new faculty and staff, and new or prospective students we’ve identified some general information pieces and web links to provide you with a quick introduction to some of our major programs and activities.